GNHQ private forum for those not wanting to be on Facebook

So good I posted it twice

Thank you Lucy GNHQ

ninny I was just going to post about it but I see you have found the GN FB page which is linked to threads on here.

If you never 'like' anything on there it should not be linked to your FB page.

I think that's right?

That's hat LucyGN has said (read the posts Jalima!)

I have just looked at Gransnet Facebook and agree with the protests. I was not aware that things posted here would be displayed on Facebook for anyone to see without being registered here, or that whole threads could be accessed by links on Facebook. I will be very careful now about what I say here - it's one thing sharing with a group of grans, but quite another to have millions of Facebook members able to read our conversations.

What a brilliant idea Crafting (as someone who does not use FB) I would be up for this .

Everything I write on GN can be read by anyone on the internet anyway. I don't need to be a member to read the forums. It makes no difference to me if there are links to threads on a fb page - it's just a link to a thread and not a big deal.

I feel the same as primrose. Since everything on the GN forums is totally public anyway what difference does its being public here or there (Facebook, Twitter, Google, every web browser, etc) matter? Isn't that just the nature of the internet beast? Everything public on Facebook can be seen by anyone. Gransnet has a public page like a gazillion other organisations.

Have I misunderstood something?

Not really. You're right in what you say, just that some would prefer an area for more sensitive issues.

Ok Bags and Primrose the difference is quite simple On fb you have the option to make your profile and your posts private or public...... on GN you have no choice, that is what people are asking for

It might make no difference to you but obviously you are in a tiny minority and it is important to most others on here

Primrose, it made a big deal to the lady whose family saw her posts on FB, begging for help about them, and has made things so much worse now

I don't do FB so I think this idea is great. No link please

If you have not got a Facebook page and you do not use your name on this Gransnet site but an anonymous username to post no one on Facebook would know it was you. Can't explain it more clearly than that.

ninny unless you give a lot of personal, identifying detail about a problem that is troubling you and people recognise the situation (which has happened). Can't explain it more clearly than that.

Wonder what the legal position would be if something that was chosen to be posted on FB by HQ had serious consequences?

I belong to a forum which although it has a Facebook page does not re-post things from the forum and you have to be a member to read any posts. They do have advertising and it appears to be getting more people joining all the time. I can understand GNHQ wanting to attract more members but I wonder how many join after reading the Facebook posts - after all they will be aware that anything they post could be seen by any one of their Facebook "friends". A separate private forum would seem to be a good compromise.

Those who don't see a problem with threads being posted elsewhere, or are never in a position of needing advice on something more sensitive than "best steam mop" can continue to use open forums.
Others would like the option of anonymity at times.
There is nothing to lose, and everything to gain for everybody.

I think some of the problem could be alleviated if there was the possibility of editing or deleting a post afterwards. I think the fact of being so easily public also stops people at times sharing their own experience which could maybe help a person with a problem.

Well said misadventure it SHOULD BE A CHOICE not a definite... GN could still have their fb and Twitter link and they could still post peoples posts and threads as there will always be some people who don't bother and in fairness there are subjects I haven't got a problem with sharing ie gardening questions, cooking etc etc but other more personal subjects that we don't want shared should have our choice honoured

Crafting a forum which HQ promises not to link to Facebook & Twitter would still not be 'private' - GN is a public site for all to see, members or not.

So there would still be the risk that an interesting/controversial thread could be picked-up by the media, such as seems to happen on Mumsnet. However, the chances are low - I've never seen a GN thread mentioned in the press.

I can't see them having a totally private section for personal matters - it's a business not a social service.

Its blurb invites people to chat, get support, and it is affiliated in some way to the Jo Cox campaign to fight loneliness.

If you are on Facebook, it constantly suggests groups you might be interested in, based on your fb posts and likes.
So GN facebook could easily come to the notice of people who haven't actually looked for it.

To me, the upsetting thing is not whether posters are aware of GN's right to do as they wish with our posts, or whether anyone can come across GN on the web.

It is that GN saw a thread where the OP contained details that were likely to be identifiable, and took the deliberate decision to publicise that thread more widely.

I realise it is an open Forum but with not so many readers as Facebook. I know many FB members and none of them have joined GN. In suggesting a more private area of GN I realise this can still be read by others but if GNHQ were to say they would not link threads from this particular section to FB or Twitter, we could go back to where many of us thought we were before all this started. If you read the other thread on this subject you will see how many GN users are upset that they cannot ask for support in the same way. I know we all signed up and GNHQ can do what they like but I can't see why it would be a problem for them to promise not to link threads from a "keep it on GN " forum. After all GNHQ have said they will try and be "sensitive" in what they link so why can't they let us choose what is "sensitive" to us.

The changes you're asking for will not solve the problem the poster had, who was recognised by their family. It may make people feel they are in a more private place, which they are not, and possibly more willing to disclose personal info.

There is no such thing as privacy on an internet forum like GN. 'Members Only' threads are no guarantee of concealment of the post from friends and family. If I post things that can identify me, I might be identified! If that's a problem for me, I don't post it.

If what the lady had posted hadn't have been replicated, then her family wouldn't have identified her.
I don't see what the issue is, really
For people who do not care about privacy, the forum wouldn't change at all for them. Access all areas, and they can post as they have been.